Before the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or COP16 Cancun began on November 29th, Climate Justice Action (CJA) sent out a newsletter supporting La Via Campesina’s callout for 1000 Cancuns. We also requested information from groups, individuals and organizations who may be planning for 1000 Cancuns, OR who will be and are in Cancun attending the conference. The following is a report back on actions, events and projects you have told us about from your home and city, or directly from the ground in Cancun Mexico.
The report backs are separated into two series. This is the first. It is a reflection on the days of November 29 to December 4th - the official first week of COP16- plus some 1000 Cancuns actions and report backs that occurred a few days before the conference began. The second series of report backs will be sent out at the end of week two of the conference and will still include some report backs from week I. If you are interested in writing a report back or sending us information on your 1000 Cancuns action, or if you’re participating in a climate justice event in Cancun please send an email to info@climate-justice-action.org.
In solidarity with our friends and allies towards building system change not climate change,
- Climate Justice Action
24 NOVEMBER
La Via Campesina’s call out for 1000 Cancuns is being heard around the world. Here is the direct link to the list of updated global actions planned around 1000 Cancuns:
http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=971:list-of-events-organized-for-thousand-of-cancuns-around-the-world&catid=50:thousands-of-cancun-for-climate-justice&Itemid=195
26 NOVEMBER
Moving “Beyond Parts Per Million”
26 November 2010, Montreal – Just a few days before the start of the COP16 in Cancun, Climate Justice Montreal and Climate Justice Co-op, released the first edition of Beyond Parts Per Million: Voices from the Frontlines. The title of the publication recognizes the environmental crisis is “beyond” climate crisis solutions proposed by scientific numbers of carbon parts, statistics and false economic global market solutions. Page three of the publication explains the “need for a paradigm shift within the climate movement…a shift that recognizes that climate change is the result of a system based on infinite growth, on a finite planet… a shift towards building a movement that can shut down destructive industries and replace them with strong communities.” The image shown on the cover of the publication is a silhouette of a plant intersected with a wrench. It is a powerful visual that seems to imply the intersection between social justice and environmental struggles. The image also suggests the commitment and hard work put forth by climate and social justice communities and activists who tirelessly strive towards the objective of ‘fixing’ the social and environmental destruction of the climate crisis and those who have imposed it.
Appropriately the sixteen pages of content do the same. Ranging from topics such as chemical industry cities, to indigenous struggles, to climate justice and gender, Beyond Parts Per Million tells global stories of “frontline communities” who are directly affected by the environmental destruction. That solutions are not only “beyond” science and failing structures of economy, but are also about waking up to the reality of contaminated water, rising cancer rates, gendered violence, complete destructions of ecosystems and life cycles, and a long list of environmental catastrophes that are destroying communities and decent living conditions. As the last line of page 3 reads, “In short we need a shift that realizes that the protection of life, land and culture will require solutions that are not considered politically feasible, and that means moving beyond polar bears and parts per million.”
Check out and download a copy of the entire publication here: http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/climate-justice-montreal-releases-beyond-parts-million-voices-frontlines-climate-justice/525
European Assembly for Climate Justice Kicks off with Strong Critical Mass Spraying “System Change not Climate Change” in front of EU Buildings
26 November 2010, Brussels- The European Assembly for Climate Justice in Brussels kicked off with an energized critical mass of about 120 riders. The route consisted of Brussels busiest streets. The riders were successful in occupying a high traffic road, where a stop was made to shout loudly in front of the Council of the European Union building. Activists chanted climate slogans, drummed and shouted for climate justice to an audience attending an event inside. Afterwards a spontaneous action took place where the words “system change not climate change” were sprayed on the road that exists between two European Union buildings, so all who roam within the buildings could see the message. Even though it was a cold and frosty night, the group’s energy remained high and climate justice messages were heard. To end the evening activists reconvened where the ride began, still loud and ready to take action. A final message of “system change not climate change” was again sprayed in hot pink and blue in front of the European Assembly against the verbal resistance of security and police.
29 NOVEMBER
Diálogo Climático: An Open Space for Climate Justice Discussion and Solidarity in Cancun
The Diálogo Climático is an alternative COP16/Cancun space for all individuals and movements who are involved in the struggle of climate justice. The space was created to enable diversity of climate justice groups to share thoughts, methods of actions, mobilize and debate.
The website states “Although not all social movements and networks are part of this confluence/space, it was agreed that we would continue looking for unity (in Mexico and at the international level), proposing that the different social movements that will be organizing parallel activities join in the December 7th mobilisation and elaborate a common declaration. We also propose that we strengthen our efforts through mutual support, in terms of promoting activities, doing joint press work, coordinating as much as possible our debates and panels and respecting the role and autonomy of each space.”
So far discussions within the space have ranged from women and the environment, debates on system change not climate change, mobilizing direct actions and discussions on Copenhagen to Cochabamba and moving forward with the People’s agreement.
After the arrival of the La Via Campesina Caravans on December 3rd and 4th, a “Climate Justice Forum” will be held in the space from December 5th-10th, while talks and mobilizing is occurring right now for a potential Global Day of action which would take place on December 7th.
For more information go to http://www.dialogoclimatico.org/.
Direct Action Against the International Emissions Trading Association in Brussels
29 November 2010 Brussels- The weekend was not over for direct action activists after three days of workshops and a “Sing for the Climate” march on Sunday that was part of the European Assembly for Climate Justice. On the first day of Cancun COP16 talks, a group of activist walked into and occupyied the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) building in Brussels. IETA is known for its business approach of advertising and investing in false solutions to the climate crisis such as faulty international carbon markets. Carbon trading and offsetting allows companies to continue exploiting the environment and communities without cutting emissions. The target of the action was to disturb the prominent carbon trading lobby groups within IETA. The direct action successfully blocked a functioning workday within the building making their message of “Our Climate is not for sale!” and “Carbon Trading is a false solution” heard. Jana Timmerman who took part in the action said that “ ‘Carbon trading is a false solution to the climate crisis. Relying on carbon trading means big profits for the polluting industries, while they continue business as usual. Lobby groups such as IETA are promoting carbon trading in the interest of their big business members. We need real action to transform the way in which we produce and consume, in order to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.’ ”
For more information check out http://www.angrymermaid.org/ieta
30 NOVEMBER
Red Road Cancun: Indigenous Voices Broadcasting from COP 16
The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) has sent a delegation of Indigenous peoples to the COP16 in Cancun. This Indigenous presence has organized a series of outlets for COP16 news, information, discussion and action that can be found at http://redroadcancun.com/ .
The red road cancun live radio and live stream is among these excellent sources of real climate justice advocacy and information. The show streams live for one hour a day. It is a newscast made from Indigenous observations, thoughts and real on the ground experiences happening in Cancun right now. The show ranges from discussions on the destruction of the Tar Sands, to quieted marginalized climate justice voices, to interviews with Indigenous activists. Even though the Indigenous community is in Cancun to put pressure on the negotiating process occurring behind the doors of the conference, red road cancun does not stray away from the real climate crisis solutions that will not be solved by COP16. During November 30th’s broadcast, Kandi Mosett of the Indigenous Environmental Network said “we’re here to create change, to create a paradigm shift” while prominent Indigenous activist Tom Goldtooth explained “what we’re doing here is to lift up the contradictions, and also lift up the importance for industrialized society. The importance of the world to revaluate, what its relationship is to the sacredness of mother earth. So there has to be a new paradigm in thinking as far as looking at the root causes of what is causing climate change. “
The website also hosts updated COP16 information such as written articles that range from BP’s exploitation of Indigenous land and the “four principles of climate justice”. The last post explained Indigenous activists traveling for three hours in high traffic zones in order to access the convention center, while government officials are tucked away in $300 dollar/night hotel rooms in inaccessible locations outside of the city surrounded by a heavy police presence.
Check out the red road cancun website at http://redroadcancun.com/
2 DECEMBER
Statement by the CLOC-Via Campesina on the Climate Summit in Cancun
2 December, Cancun- La Via Campesina released the “Statement by the CLOC-Via Campesina on the Climate Summit in Cancun” proposal in support of “Thousands of Cancuns for Climate Justice.” The proposal states:“…we affirm that the Peoples’ Accord emitted at the Summit on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, held in Cochabamba, Bolivia, is one of the most interesting proposals…As CLOC / Via Campesina we believe that the capitalist model based on the exploitation of natural resources, with the idea of unlimited progress, is primarily responsible for the environmental disaster that we are now experiencing.”
The current market economy has proven to be incapable of providing basic human rights such as water, but also hinders the means to a safe, healthy livelihood by limiting the development of food sovereignty and paralyzing the process of effective and significant reductions of carbon emissions. The natural disasters which wipeout communities and displace populations, and the future of a livable planet for all are a result of today’s global market economy. In turn the proposal offers 9 statements of steps towards real climate crisis solutions.
Check out all 9 steps and the entire article here: http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=983:statement-by-the-cloc-via-campesina-on-the-climate-summit-in-cancun-&catid=48:-climate-change-and-agrofuels&Itemid=75
3 DECEMBER
Indigenous Peoples Action on the Steps of COP16 Conference
3 December, Cancun- About 30 indigenous delegates held a peaceful demonstration in front of the COP16 conference center on the 5th day of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Cancun. The delegates called for the end of their exclusion from the COP16 negotiating process by chanting slogans and singing native indigenous songs while wearing traditional dress.
Delegates from 192 Nations are currently attending COP16. Even though Indigenous communities strive to continue the structure of their ancient nations within today’s newly defined boarders, not one Indigenous delegate has been invited or permitted to join the 192 delegates in negotiating processes. The climate justice community and the people inside the conference understand that Indigenous communities are among the peoples most affected by the climate crisis. This Indigenous demonstration was also a response to the disturbing and unacceptable discussion of some States wishing to take out the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the UN Declaration negotiation text. This group of Indigenous delegates made their message clear by holding up banners in Spanish and English that read “Respect Indigenous Peoples Rights.
For the entire story on this demonstration go to http://redroadcancun.com/?p=1263
La Via Campesina Caravans Arrive in Cancun
3 December, Cancun- La Via Campesina has organized a total of six caravans that are a “series of mobilisations that seek to publicize the grave conditions of social and environmental deterioration found in the cities, communities and towns of Mexico, due to the privatization of public goods, the impunity with which industries operate with respect to environmental regulations and to the violation of the social and labor laws of the citizens.”
On November 28th, the first three Caravans left and travelled through San Luis Potosi, Guadalajara, Acapulco and then Mexico City before reaching their final destination of Cancun on December 3rd.
The Caravans have focused on topics such as contaminated water and watersheds, soil erosion, and the contamination of food within Mexico. Each Caravan represents a different climate crisis. The first three Caravans focused on the rejection of Canadian mining, the death of the Lerma Santiago River and resistance against the hydroelectric Dam la Parota.
Now that the Caravans have reached Mexico La Via Campesina has released an ambitious and confident agenda for the start of the second week of the conference:
To check out the details of La Via Campesina’s Caravan mobilisation go to: http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=984:the-international-caravan-of-la-via-campesina-advances-for-cancun&catid=48:-climate-change-and-agrofuels&Itemid=75
4 DECEMBER
Hundreds gather for People’s Assembly on Climate Justice in Toronto
Activists, Organizers, Neighbourhood Participants discuss community response to the Climate Crisis
Toronto – On Saturday December 4th, the Global Climate Campaign’s International Day of Climate Action, hundreds of activists, community organizers and neighbourhood participants gathered for the second Toronto People’s Assembly on Climate Justice at Sidney Smith Hall, on the University of Toronto campus.
“The People’s Assembly on Climate Justice is a people’s alternative to the corrupt and illegitimate solutions which are being pushed through the United Nations,” says Julien Lalonde, a community organizer with Toronto Bolivia Solidarity and a core facilitator at the Assembly. “By using channels of collective dialogue and community empowerment we are working together to become a movement that understands the fundamental interconnectedness of our struggles for social, economic and environmental justice.”
Building on the horizontal process established during the Reclaim Power People’s Assembly in Copenhagen last December, the Toronto Assembly was an ambitious all day affair. Using a combination of breakouts and plenaries, participants discussed movement building, building alternative spaces, accountability to front-line communities, economic reform, offgrid energy solutions, and much more, in response to the initial framing question asking what we can do together to create a stronger movement for Climate Justice. In the afternoon seven People’s Council’s were created to begin formulating responses to topics identified by the Assembly as priority issues.
“Through a horizontal people’s process, the Assembly seeks to create a space where we can work together to share experience, knowledge, and resources in order to build a local response to a global crisis,” says Brett Rhyno of Environmental Justice Toronto, who participated in the original Reclaim Power People’s Assembly. “The challenge of the climate crisis can only be met with a coordinated response that will bring forth our power in numbers.”
As the Canadian government works to obstruct progress in Cancun by opposing a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol and at home by killing the Climate Change Accountability Act, the need is clear for communities to step up and start building their own solutions. The goal of the People’s Assembly is to generate new possibilities and new hopes in order to bridge the gap from separately operating groups, communities, and individuals, to converge into one diverse, united movement.
The Toronto People’s Assembly is in solidarity with La Via Campesina’s call for 1000 Cancuns and, after successfully bringing the People’s Assembly model to Canada in advance of the G20, it collaborated with the Council of Canadians to produce a national call for People’s Assemblies which has resulted in fourteen People’s Assemblies happening across the country during the UN negotiations in Cancun.
For more information on the People’s Assembly go here http://torontopeoplesassembly.wordpress.com/
